Electrical 'fuzzyness'

geekgirl

I have had my new laptop around 4 days and for the first time this eve I went to open the lid and it felt a bit fuzzy. This is the only way I can describe this. When I unplug it it stops (of course!) I have felt the same thing on other electrical items but I don't know what it is.

Any ideas?

Reluctant_spender

Static - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_electricity ??

geekgirl

No its not static build up that discharges in one go, this is continuous. You can only feel it if you hold your fingers on it gently but it has a definite fuzzy feel to it. I basicall want to know if it is a problem for the laptop. I will probably call them tomorrow with a view to returning it and getting it replaced, I just wanted to have a bit of knowledge to back it up with.

totalsolutions

Hi Get yourself a Martindale mains tester ASAP or equivalant from a hardware store/B&Q/Maplins, and use it around the house in all the mains outlet sockets. This has three neon lights that light up if all's well. You may well have the mains live / neutral / earth wired up wrong. This little device will tell you. (Martindales were quite expensive but the others are about £5)
What you are feeling is the live mains leaking through to you. Some people are more sensitive then others, but I know what are you are talking about.

£$&*"($£&(

I think many laptops are double insulated and thus don't have earth connections (or normal earth connections through a three pin plug).

weegie.geek

This isn't one of the brushed aluminium laptops with no earth is it?

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/0,39029450,49295100,00.htm

bookduck

I agree with greyhawk that it should be double insulated via the psu.

You could always try it in someone elses house, just in case.

I'd go back to the supplier and check out their display model.

Also in the lid is an invertor that depending on the model push out many 100's of volts and this I suppose could case static

geekgirl

Hi Thanks for all help.
I have traced it back to the AC power connector, this is an extra in line power plug that doesn't need to be used, I can just use the power cord extender and it works fine. I can get them to send me a new one but apparently this is an issue if you use the spare AC power connector so wont bother.

Cheers again.